Sheriff submits Fugate investigation report to DA

A two-month Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office investigation of criminal allegations involving Oregon State Police Captain William Fugate is complete and has been submitted to the district attorney’s office for review, officials said Friday.

Sheriff Shane Nelson on Friday delivered to DA John Hummel the results of the investigation Nelson and his team conducted into allegations made about the Fugate’s conduct.

“Hummel will now review the evidence and law to determine if Fugate committed any crimes,” a statement from the DA said. “Once Hummel completes his review he will announce his findings and conclusions to the public.

“I appreciate the time and effort Sheriff Nelson devoted to this investigation,” Hummel said in the statement.

“The public deserves to know that no person is above the law, including senior members of law enforcement agencies,” the DA said. “At the same time, members of law enforcement enjoy the same presumption of innocence as everyone else. My team and I will give this case the attention it deserves and make the decision that is warranted based on the evidence and the law.”

Fugate, who had been serving as the OSP’s public information officer, was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 28, the day after a complaint was received. Nelson said at the time it had nothing to do with Fugate’s job conduct.

Around the same time, Fugate’s estranged wife file a petition and obtained a restraining order against him, saying he threatened her last fall, was “very volatile” and possessed a gun. The couple, who live in Redmond, have been going through a divorce.